Zero‐Slack,Noncritical Paths |
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| Authors: | Jacob V Simons Jr |
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| Institution: | Department of Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA |
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| Abstract: | The critical path method/program evaluation and review technique method of project scheduling is based on the importance of managing a project's critical path(s). Although a critical path is the longest path through a network, its location in large projects is facilitated by the computation of activity slack. However, logical fallacies in oft‐repeated statements of the relationship between slack and the critical path make it easy to overlook the phenomenon of zero‐slack, noncritical paths. This article points out the fallacies and then describes and illustrates the phenomenon. We conclude with teaching recommendations to avoid suboptimal decisions in reducing project duration. |
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| Keywords: | Critical Path Project Scheduling Activity Slack CPM PERT |
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